Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Awards Sponsored by Table Rock Community Bank

Nick Wilson of Reeds Spring School District

Michelle Wertz of Galena School District

Jana Owens of Blue Eye School District

Nick Wilson—Reeds Spring Teacher of the Year:
Nick has been with the Reeds Spring School District as a Special Services teacher for 9 years.  Is path to becoming a teacher has been unique.  Nick lived abroad after graduating from college in 2004, earned certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).  He taught science, math, reading, writing, speech, drama and test preparation in grades 1-12 at Lizen School in Taiwan for two years before moving back to the United States to get married and earn his certification to teach in Missouri.  He was employed as a paraprofessional at Ozark East Elementary School working with elementary special needs students from 2010-2013.

Nick has been a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) since 2010.  He has participated in various professional development activities related to social sciences and special education, such as Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Rethink Autism, and Teaching with Love and Logic.
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Nick is passionate about educating students to be productive, successful and responsible citizens while helping them realize the great potential they possess.  A speech teacher shared, "Nick does not see their disabilities, only their abilities."  He works hard to challenge students, but is also compassionate and loving and embraces the students for who they are.

Michele Wertz—Galena Teacher of the Year:

Michele has taught for 28 years in Galena—25 years in kindergarten, and 3 in preschool. She is a mentor teacher and the Everyday Math Kindergarten Instructor for the Southwest Center; she has also been the Galena Jr. High and High School Cheerleading Coach for 10 years.

Outside of the school day she is a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Parents as Teachers Educator, and she is a member of M.S.T.A. and served as CTA President, Vice President and Representative.  She is also a member of the Galena Sports Organization as well as a member and Board Member of the Galena P.T.S.O.
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Her hobbies include being Nanny to her granddaughter Leona, spending time with her dog Mia, working summers at Cape Fair Marina, running a flea market booth and reading.

Jana Owens—Blue Eye Teacher of the Year:

Jana is currently in her 25th year at Blue Eye. She is a 1993 graduate of Blue Eye, so she has spent almost 40 years of her life as a Bulldog. She has served in a variety of roles including cheerleading sponsor, yearbook sponsor, a variety of committees and clubs including professor development committee, CSIP committee and National Honor Society.

She earned her bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education from College of the Ozarks, her master's degree from Lindenwood University, and is continuing her education at Missouri State University by taking summer courses toward a second master's degree. She also has worked as an adjunct professor for Missouri State University
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She is a proud mother of two daughters who are both currently in college pursuing degrees in the medical field. She is most often found at Blue Eye school working concession stands, volunteering, tutoring students, watching games, and, of course, grading papers. It is clear she loves her job, and she loves her students.